Choosing the Right Curriculum for Your Children’s Ministry

It’s almost summer, and while most of us are looking forward to a time that is more relaxed and carefree, children’s ministry leaders are assessing how this year finished and starting to plan for next fall. Since January when I started my new role as Children’s Ministry Catalyzer for Faith Formation Ministries, I have been meeting with CRC children’s ministry leaders and pastors. One of the most common questions they ask is “Can you recommend a good children’s ministry curriculum?”

Curriculum is a foundational part of children’s ministry, and choosing a good curriculum that works within your particular context is a time-consuming but important practice. Some might feel it is an overwhelming task because there are so many different curricula to choose from. Which one works the best in your context? Where do you even begin to start looking?

Well, hopefully you can relax a bit this summer, because Faith Formation Ministries has provided some great resources to help you in this process.  

• If you are looking for guidance in choosing curriculum, the Children’s Ministry Toolkit has a section completely devoted to choosing a curriculum. Included in that section are curriculum reviews to help you in the discernment process.
• The Ten-Question Tool for Choosing Children’s Ministry Curriculum asks ten overarching, foundational questions to help guide your curriculum selection process.  
• Choosing a Curriculum – A Guide for Churches is a helpful tool designed not only to help you find material that is theologically and educationally sound, but also to help you find a curriculum that fits the unique personality and dynamics of your congregation.  

Mimi Larson is the CRC's Children's Ministry Catalyzer. If you have questions or challenges about faith formation in children, choosing curriculum, equipping volunteers, and more, contact Mimi at [email protected].